Thirteen candidates vying for five seats on Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen (poll)

OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Eight challengers will square off with five incumbents for seat on the Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen in the upcoming municipal elections.

Alderman at-large Bobby Cox and Ward I alderman John Gill are running unopposed, meaning Gill will serve an eighth term on the board. He is already the longest-serving alderman in Ocean Springs history.

Cox, meanwhile, will serve his first full term on the board. He was elected alderman at-large in a special election in Feb. 2012 to fill the unexpired term of Troy Ross, who was elected to the Jackson County Board of Supervisors.

Here are the candidates for the five contested races:

Ward II

Julia Weaver

Julia Weaver, Democrat -- Weaver, a former alderman at-large for Ocean Springs, is the owner of Healthy Communities Consulting, working for mental health, youth development and conservation issues.

She earned a Bachelor's degree from Rhodes College and a Master's from Harvard University. She and her husband, Robert Wiygul, have two children and are active in St. John's Episcopal Church.

During her tenure as alderman at-large, Weaver was part of the administration which began the rebuilding process in Ocean Springs following Hurricane Katrina. In addition, she helped raise more than $200,000 in private donations which were used to repair the Boys & Girls Club and assist in rebuilding the homes of elderly and disabled residents, among other projects.

"Ocean Springs is on the map as one of the best places in the country to live, work, and play", said Weaver. "Economic growth is a good thing, but we must keep Ocean Springs clean and green."

Matt McDonnell

Matt McDonnell, Republican -- McDonnell is seeking his sixth term on the board of aldermen. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama and is the Assistant Executive Director of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. He also served in the U.S. Army.

He and his wife, Jane, are the parents of two children.

McDonnell's campaign platform includes a balanced budget, supporting law enforcement and police presence in neighborhoods, enforcing the city's noise ordinance, quality city services, job creation and transparency in government.

Ward III

Joey Bellman

Joey Bellman, Republican -- Bellman is a graduate of Ocean Springs High School and attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He served in the U.S. Army as a Search and Rescue Medic and is retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 36 years.

He is a longtime coach and advocate of youth sports in Ocean Springs, having served as President of Ocean Springs Little League and 10 years on the Ocean Springs Park Commission Board of Directors.

"I am running for Ward 3 Alderman because I want to be a part of leading Ocean Springs in the right direction," Bellman said. "Ward 3 has issues such as streets that need repair and drainage problems that need to be addressed. I believe it's time for the City of Ocean Springs to go in a new direction. I want to help create a budget that will get Ocean Springs out of the financial situation it is currently experiencing. I also believe that creating the right budget would help Ocean Springs give the city employees a much deserved raise."

Bellman and his wife, Deborah, have been married for 37 years and are the parents of two children.

Chic Cody

Fred "Chic" Cody -- Cody is in his fifth term as an Ocean Springs alderman, having served one term from 1981-85, and then three terms before an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2005. He was again elected Ward III alderman in 2009.

He has served as Mayor Pro Tem of the city and said he has only missed one meeting in the past four years.

Cody is a graduate of Lee Academy, the Ingalls Apprentice Program and Litton Management Training Program. He retired as a Section Manger for Procurement/Subcontracting for Ingalls after 42 years.

Cody and his wife, Sue, are the parents of two daughters.

Among the many issues he considers important are completing current city projects, managing the budget to allow for employee raises, improving downtown parking, and attracting more business to increase the city's tax base.

"We cannot simply raise taxes when we have a problem," Cody said. "We have to manage our way through difficult times. I think I have the experience to help do that.

"Ocean Springs is a unique city, one in which our children come first," he added. "We put a heavy priority on family and quality of life."

Shawn Senseney

Shawn Senseney, Republican -- Senseney is a lifelong Ocean Springs resident who is making his first foray into the political arena. He is a graduate of Ocean Springs High School and has worked in the Jackson County Road Department for 19 years.

He is the father of one son.

"I'm running because I believe with 19 years experience with the county I have the experience and knowledge to help address what I consider to be two of the biggest issues facing the city -- roads and drainage," Senseney said. "I understand the inner-workings of addressing those issues. It certainly won't be new to me."

Ward IV

Greg Denyer

Greg Denyer, Republican -- Denyer is concluding his second term as Ward IV alderman and also served previously as the Ward V alderman. A graduate of Ocean Springs High School, he earned both Bachelor's and Masters degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Masters and Specialist degrees in Education from William Carey College.

He is a retired educator after more than 31 years in the field, and retired as Principal of Ocean Springs Middle School in 2006.

Denyer serves as the Chairman of the city's Peer Review Committee and as the Hurricane Shelter Manager. He served as a member and chairman of the Ocean Springs Parks Commission Board of Directors for 10 years.

His campaign platform includes fiscal responsibility, keeping taxes down and notes that the city has lowered taxes by three mills during his tenure on the board of aldermen. He also supports raises for city employees. Among the many projects completed during his tenure are more than $725,000 in drainage and sewer repairs in his ward.

Denyer also notes he has donated his salary as an alderman back to his ward's Captial Improvement Fund, which has financed draining, paving and neighborhood improvement projects.

Joey Conwill

Joey Conwill, Republican -- Conwill is a graduate of Moss Point High School and Mississippi State University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Fitness Management and a Masters in Exercise Physiology. She is employed as the Wellness Director for the Blossman YMCA in Ocean Springs.

She recently concluded her term as President of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. Her other civic involvement includes serving on the board of directors for both the Ocean Springs Education Foundation and the Ocean Springs Athletic Foundation, Chairman of the recently held Le Bal Au Chocolate at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center and she is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Jackson County.

Conwill is a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, where she has taught Sunday school and served on the youth council.

Her campaign platform includes restoring public trust, finding solutions for budget improvements, promoting business and business retention, and supporting the police, fire and public works departments.

Conwill is married to George Conwill and they have four children.

Ward V

Jerry Dalgo

Jerry Dalgo, Republican -- Dalgo is in his third term as Ward V alderman. He attended Ocean Springs schools and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He is a graduate of the Maritime Training Academy and a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master Captain for 20 years.

He is the former co-owner and manager of Crown Dodge Chrysler in Pascagoula and for 12 consecutive years was the Sales Manager of the Year in the Southeast Division. He served as Mayor Pro Tem for Ocean Springs during 2005-06 and was Chairman of the city's Finance Committee for six years.

Dalgo's campaign platform includes fiscal conservatism, support of local law enforcement, protecting residential property owners, communicating with constituents, transparency in government, and drug prevention and interdiction in the city and schools.

"I enjoy public service and there is still a lot of work to be accomplished," Dalgo said. "For this reason I am seeking reelection. Over the last four years $10.6 million dollars in projects have been completed or are currently underway in Ward 5 and over 98 percent of the funding for these projects came from various Federal and State grants as well as with the financial help of the county. This is a perfect example of the tax dollars we pay coming back to us.

Dalgo is the father of two children - Eric, a student at the University of South Alabama, and Emily, a senior at Ocean Springs High School.

Chris Vaughan

Chris Vaughan, Republican -- Vaughan is a 46-year resident of Ocean Springs, 21 of those years in Ward V. He attended Ocean Springs schools and graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 1983. That same year, while attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, he and his brothers founded Vaughan's Tree Surgery.

Three years later, Vaughan and his brothers purchased Fox Texaco at the corner of U.S. 90 and Ocean Springs Road. In 2009, he became sole proprietor of the service station. In 2011, he and his wife started CLV Properties, LLC, which buys, sells and manages real estate.

"I believe my 30-plus years of business experience, coupled with a flexible work schedule, will enable me to represent the citizens of Ward V," Vaughan said. "It is my intention to be an active alderman and to ensure the city is operated in the most effective and efficient manner possible."

Vaughan supports lower property taxes and is a strong advocate of "health, exercise and well-being" for the people of Ocean Springs.

Vaughan and his wife, Lillian, have been married 27 years and are the parents of two children.

Ward VI

James Hagan

James Hagan, Republican -- Hagan is nearing the end of his second term as alderman for Ward VI. He has been employed in public service within Jackson County since 1998, beginning with the Ocean Springs Police Department and most recently as a Building Official for the City of Moss Point.

He holds an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice and is scheduled to earn his Bachelor's degree in August. He and his wife, Kim, are the parent of three children. Kim is an assistant teacher at Ocean Springs High School, working with special needs children.

"Ward 6 is the largest and fastest growing ward in Ocean Springs," Hagan said. "It is extremely important that this growth be controlled so that our way of life is not negatively affected. One of the largest issues facing our ward has been the overwhelming desire and push to build large multifamily apartment complexes. Fortunately we have been able to limit these large complexes which would be a drain on our city services as well as our school system, and not to mention the change in dynamics to the adjoining neighborhoods."

Hagan also cites drainage improvements and the construction of the police and fire departments on the east end of town as key elements of his past four years on the board.

Tom East

Tom East, Republican -- East is a graduate of Pascagoula High School and earned a degree in Education from Mississippi State University and a Master of Divinity from the Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tenn.

He is a retired United Methodist minister, having served as pastor for several churches in Mississippi. He led the building committee during construction of the East Campus of St. Paul United Methodist Church on U.S. 90. He served on the Mississippi Home Corporation Board, the Federal Home Loan Bank Advisory Board in Dallas, representing Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana, and was elected to various boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church.

"My life of service to people with various needs has created a skill set including building consensus, mediation, problem solving, listening and most importantly focusing like a laser on important issues. This opportunity to be an Alderman will allow me to "Give back" in a direct manner rather than just being a bystander to the day to day process."

East and his wife, Pat, have been residents of Ocean Springs for 12 years and are the parents of one son, Mike.

Michael Impey

Michael Impey, Republican -- Impey is a lifelong resident of Ocean Springs and is the Deputy Chief of the Ocean Springs Police Reserves. He is a draftsman/designer at Myron James & Associates. He is also a former member of the Mississippi Army National Guard.

He and his wife, Rene', are the parents of two daughters and are members of St. Elizabeth Seton. Impey is also a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

"I will do my utmost to effectively represent the interests of Ward 6 in combination with the needs of the entire city of Ocean Springs," Impey said. "My intent is to take a common sense conservative approach in all decisions facing the board. In that regard, I respectfully ask for your vote to accomplish this. Working together, we can make a difference for the city we love, the city we call home."

Impey says road maintenance and drainage in Ward VI, along with raises for city employees, are among the chief issues in this election.

Nick Overby

Nick Overby, Republican -- Overby is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and earned a Masters in Education Leadership from William Carey College. He has worked for the Department of Human Service in public assistance and fraud prevention, was a classroom teacher for five years and a school administrator for 14 years.

He has also served in the U.S. Army National Guard and Reserve for 23 years, currently holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Reserve, where he is a trained logistician and engineer. He has deployed overseas twice, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-04 (Iraq/Kuwait) and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010-11 (Afghanistan).

Overby says he is a fiscal conservative and believes every endeavor taken on by the city should be in the best interests of future generations. Drainage, road and traffic improvement, taxes and spending, recreation and better communication from City Hall are among the issues with which Ward 6 residents are most concerned, he says.

"I believe the board of Alderman should represent the citizen's best interests at all times and be a prudent caretaker of our taxpayer dollars," he said. "Small businesses and the arts are the financial heartbeat of our community and the local economy. Our city elected officials must be proponents of good government and facilitate economic growth, which is consistent with our community values."